![Gay Community Endowment Fund logo](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/gecf.jpg)
One of the community foundation's most important values is inclusiveness, and no fund embraces that more than the Gay Community Endowment Fund.
Founded in 2001, the mission of the Gay Community Endowment Fund is to support the Greater Akron LGBTQ+ community by providing grants and scholarships that advance the right to live safely, openly and authentically. The fund envisions a societal transformation in which all LGBTQ+ individuals experience equity and acceptance.
Since its establishment, the Gay Community Endowment Fund has invested nearly $840,000 into local causes that change the lives of LGBTQ+ people in our community. Recent grants have created safer environments for LGBTQ+ youth, combated phobias of the LGBTQ+ community, and supported mental health and suicide prevention programs for LGBTQ+ people.
In addition, area students can apply for a scholarship from the GCEF Scholarship Fund, which supports LGBTQ+ and allied students who live or attend school in Summit, Medina, Portage, Stark and Wayne counties.
Read our latest newsletter | Learn about the history of the fund | Circle of Inclusion | Impact Grants | Sugar Plum Tour
Our Recent Grants
By the Numbers
Advisory Board
Advisory board members serve without pay to help the fund impact the lives of people in Greater Akron's LGBTQ+ community.
![Dr. Kate Raymond: Chair <br> Katherine I. Raymond, D.D.S.,<br>Raymond Dental Group](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/kate-raymond.jpg)
Katherine I. Raymond, D.D.S.,
Raymond Dental Group
![Adam Besenyodi: Vice Chair<br>Vice President, Senior Project Manager,<br>PNC Bank](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/Adam-Besenyodi-Headshot-2024.png)
Vice President, Senior Project Manager,
PNC Bank
![Kim Rivers: Secretary<br>Sr. Business Systems Analyst,<br>Kent State University](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/Kim_Rivers-web.jpg)
Sr. Business Systems Analyst,
Kent State University
![Gregory Hail: At-Large Officer<br>Retired](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/Greg-Hail-2-1.jpg)
Retired
![Mar-quetta Boddie: Executive Director,<br>Summit County Continuum of Care](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/Marquetta_web.png)
Summit County Continuum of Care
![The Honorable Carol Dezso: Retired Judge,<br>Summit County Domestic Relations Court](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/Carol_Dezso-web.jpg)
Summit County Domestic Relations Court
![Doug Kohl: Chief Development Officer,<br>YMCA of Greater Cleveland](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/Doug-Kohl.jpg)
YMCA of Greater Cleveland
![Michelle Krocker: Judicial Attorney,<br>Eighth District Court of Appeals](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/michelle-krocker.jpg)
Eighth District Court of Appeals
![Julie Miller: Teacher,<br>Maple Heights City Schools](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/Julie-Miller_WEB.png)
Maple Heights City Schools
![Phil Montgomery: Director of Finance and Budget,<br>County of Summit](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/Phil_web2.jpg)
County of Summit
![Cheryl Morse: Retired Teacher,<br>Canton City Schools](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/Cheryl-Morse_WEB.png)
Canton City Schools
![Jacob Nash: Co-Owner,<br>Nash Integrated Services LLC](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/Nash.jpg)
Nash Integrated Services LLC
![Lauren Shaniuk: Speech Language Pathologist,<br>Wyant Woods Healthcare Center](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/LaurenShaniuk_web.png)
Wyant Woods Healthcare Center
![Dr. Jeremy Troxler: Dentist,<br>Medina Pediatric Dentistry](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/Jeremy_Troxler-web.jpg)
Medina Pediatric Dentistry
![Janis Worley: Finance & Operations Manager,<br>First Congregational Church of Akron](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/Janis_Worley_web.png)
First Congregational Church of Akron
![Cindy Christman: Emeritus Member <br>Retired, Akron Police Department](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/cynthia-christman.jpg)
Retired, Akron Police Department
![John Grafton: Emeritus Member <br>Retired, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/john-grafton.jpg)
Retired, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
![Eric Jones: Emeritus Member <br>President, Jones Group Interiors](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/eric-jones.jpg)
President, Jones Group Interiors
![Rick Krochka: Emeritus Member <br>President, TRIAD Communications](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/rick-krochka.jpg)
President, TRIAD Communications
![Steven P. Schmidt, Ph.D.: Emeritus Member<br>Retired Healthcare Executive](https://www.akroncf.org/wp-content/uploads/Steve-Schmidt-New.jpg)
Retired Healthcare Executive
News & Events
News
Sugar Plum Tour will feature enchanting homes throughout Greater Akron The Gay Community Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation invites Greater Akron residents to save [...]
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik to speak on LGBTQ+ issues in Greater Akron Tickets are now available for the Gay Community Endowment Fund's 2024 annual celebration, "exhALE: [...]